A SCHOOLBOY was threatened at knife point by a gang in a Merseyside park.

The 14-year-old air cadet was cycling through Rimrose Valley Park, in Crosby, on his way to pick up his brother and sister after school, when a hooded figure blocked his path and showed him he was carrying a knife.

He was surrounded by up to four others and forced off his distinctive bike.

The gang then rifled through his pockets, stealing his mobile phone, before escaping.

The boy’s 37-year-old mum, a nursing assistant at a local hospital, said: “This has knocked all his confidence. He won’t even come to the shops with me any more.

“He was on his way to pick up his little brother and sister for me and take them to their nan’s, and this happens in broad daylight.

“Someone must have seen this lot hanging around or have seen the bike because it is so distinctive.

“It was a half-Christmas half-birthday present, and he’d only had it a couple of weeks.

“Other children and their parents need to be warned this has happened.”

The bike is a red-and-white Whistle with white forks and a white saddle.

The gang were dressed all in black, and thought to be in their mid-to-late teens. They fled towards the nearby canal.

Police confirmed they were investigating the robbery, which happened at around 3.10pm, on Friday, January 7.

Det Sgt Neil Blanchard said: “This must have been a very frightening experience for the boy involved and we take incidents such as this very seriously.

“I would urge anybody who knows anything about this matter or anybody who was in the area on that day to come forward to speak to us.

“Somebody must know where the stolen bike is and who has possession of it. Any information provided will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.”